2023 Sub School Restructure

Parent and Year 7 & 8 Student Feedback 

Thank you to the Year 7 & 8 students and the parents who participated in the forums conducted last week to receive feedback on the College Sub School restructure to be implemented in 2023. 

The major aims of the Sub School restructure are to:

• Foster higher expectations in both the Middle and Senior Sub Schools.
• Implement improved proactive and preventive sub school and wellbeing supports to students.
• Better support the college’s Year 9/10 vertical curriculum structure.
• Improve pathways support into VCE/VCE VM/VET at the beginning of Year 9.
• Focus on establishing orderly learning environments from Year 7 with consistent learning routines that build on the routines students have experienced in primary school.

The Year 7 & 8 students in the student forums viewed the following as the benefits for the Sub School restructure:

• More support/focus for Year 7 & 8 students beginning secondary school studies.
• Increased expectations of students- academic and behaviour.
• Learning about VCE and other future options earlier.
• Seeking careers advice from experts earlier.
• Opportunity for a graduation ceremony into Senior School.
• Opportunity for improved year level spaces at the college.
• Year 9s not being seen as junior students. Greater responsibilities earlier for students.

Parents recognised the heightened behaviours of some students in all schools, post Covid, and were supportive of Wantirna College being proactive in addressing this.

Parents saw the following as benefits for the Sub School restructure:

• Higher expectations- academic and behaviour
• More sub school leading teachers to lead initiatives
• Stronger connection between the sub schools and wellbeing
• Continued and improved focus on student learning
• Better use of spaces to support cohorts of students

Thank you to the students and parents for their feedback. The student and parent participation in this decision has been crucial in critically evaluating and improving elements of the sub school structural change. 

Mr Tony Stirling

Acting Assistant Principal (Middle Years)